Tag: 5k

I've never been much of a runner. So I downloaded a running app and started training the next day. I registered for a local race (Denver’s Adelante! 5k). Then I recruited a few pals to run with me once a week. The other days I ran on my own. In time, I began to look forward to the trainings as a way to spend time with people I don’t see often enough or to just zone out and listen to music.

With 7 weeks of training under my belt, I was feeling reasonably prepared on the day of the race. I ate an apple, drank some water, and stashed a juice box in my jacket pocket, just in case. My family came with me to cheer me on (it being Mothers’ Day, what choice had they?). I ran most of the way. And since I wasn’t running for any particular time, I was happy to complete the course in 36:12.

The numbers I care more about are the ones on my meter. And I was less happy with those yesterday. Given that I’d been testing and adjusting for weeks to determine a sensible strategy for the run, I was vexed by my body's response. Here’s what the day looked like in diabetes terms:

7:15

Test: 89mg/DL

8:15

Test: 81mg/DL

Eat apple (skip bolus)

Preventively, to avoid mid-race low.

8:45

Decrease basal rate by 20%

Again, preventively.

9:00

Run (mostly) for 36 min.

9:55

Test: 176mg/DL

Woah…

Check site (it’s fine).

Bolus 2.5 units

Hope that’s not too aggressive.

Hydrate.

10:10

Test: 172mg/DL

Really?

Ponder test strip inaccuracy.

Verify recent changes to pump settings.

Second-guess skipping the apple bolus.

Second-guess the 20% basal decrease.

10:20

Test: 164mg/DL

Still?

Bolus 1 more unit.

Head home.

Change site.

Spot a few air bubbles in line.

Maybe?

Open new vial of insulin.

It’s time anyway.

Continue to bolus against a stubborn high for most of the day.

Sheesh.

It’s difficult to convey how damn squirrely diabetes is to people who don’t live with it every day. The best-laid plans often deliver uncertain results. It can be super frustrating. And yet, diabetes didn’t spoil yesterday; my first 5k was rewarding and fun.

This post was written for Diabetes Blog Week.
The prompt (suggested by Kim of Texting my Pancreas): Change the World.